The 30th annual Concours d'Elegance, a rare auto show, is themed to "Legends of British Motoring," but also includes American oddities such as a GM Futurliner (only 12 were ever produced). Ault Park, 3600 Observatory Ave., Mt. Lookout. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 10. $20, free to ages 11 and under. (800) 383-6843 or www.ohioconcours.com.

The Cincinnati Opera's summer festival kicks off with Faust on June 14 and 16, followed by Cosi Fan Tutte on June 28 and 30, Nixon in China on July 12 and 14, and Aida July 25-31. Music Hall, 1241 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. $27 to $136. (513) 241-2742 or www.cincinnatiopera.com.

The world premiere of "Real Pirates: The Untold Story of the Whydah from Slave Ship to Pirate Ship" is a 15,000-square-foot exhibition featuring 12 galleries devoted to the Whydah, the first fully authenticated pirate ship discovered in U.S. waters. The National Geographic display, launching here on a five-year tour, includes 200 recovered artifacts from the ship (which had plundered 54 other ships of their treasures before sinkiing itself in 1717). Cincinnati Museum Center, 1301 Western Ave., Queensgate. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily (11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays), June 30 through January 2008. $16.50 adults, $14.50 seniors, $10.50 children. (513) 287-7000 or www.cincymuseum.com.

JULY

Stricker's Grove, Cincinnati's vintage amusement park (which is rarely open to the public since it books private groups throughout the summer) opens its doors to the public for one day only. The park features two roller-coasters and 15 rides. Stricker's Grove, 11490 Hamilton-Cleves Road, Ross. 3 to 11 p.m. Wednesday, July 4. $1 ride tickets. (513) 738-3366 or www.strickersgrove.com.

St. Rita Fest is one of the oldest and largest annual festivals in the Greater Cincinnati area. For some 90 years, the event "” which is particularly famous for its turtle soup and funnel cakes "” has featured a hundred-plus booths and games. St. Rita School for the Deaf, 1720 Glendale Milford Road, Evendale. All day Friday, Saturday and Sunday, July 13, 14 and 15. Free admission, game prices range 25 cents to $5. (513) 771-7600 or www.srsdeaf.org.

Midsummer at the Meadows features the Little River Band and Starship starring Mickey Thomas. Miami Meadows Park, 5900 McPicken Drive, Miami Township. 6 to 11 p.m. Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, July 13 and 14. Little River performs Friday at 8 p.m., Starship at 8 p.m. on Saturday night, followed by fireworks. Free. (513) 625-2535 or www.miamitwp.org.

The Newport Arts & Music Festival features musical acts ranging from rock to folk, jazz to alternative. Riverboat Row, between the Taylor-Southgate and L&N bridges, Newport. Noon to 11 p.m. Saturday and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday, July 28 and 29. Free. (859) 292-3686 or www.newportky.gov.

AUGUST

Dozens of national and regional blues performers turn out for the annual Cincy Blues Fest, with acts ranging from blues, gospel and spirituals all the way to ragtime, bluegrass and jazz. Sawyer Point Park, on the riverfront, downtown. 5 to 10:45 p.m. Friday, 1:30 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3 and 4. $5, ages 11 and under free. (513) 739-BLUE or www.cincyblues.org.

Time to "goetta" life, as Glier's Goettafest festival celebrates Greater Cincinnati's love of this unique meat product (produced only in Germany and here). Try goetta reubens, omelets, tacos, pizza and more. For those not familiar, the sausage fare (pronounced "get-uh") is a combination of steel-cut pinhead oatmeal, pork, beef and seasonings. Look for continuous live music, games and rides, as well. Newport Festival Park, on the riverfront, in Newport. 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 3, 4 and 5. Free. (859) 291-1800 or www.goettafest.com.

Have a fork full of lobster and a plate full of live music at the Great Inland Seafood Festival. Yeatman's Cove, on the riverfront, downtown. 5 to 11 p.m. Thursday and Friday, noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 9, 10, 11 and 12. Free. (513) 761-9911 or www.greatinlandseafoodfest.com.

The Union Centre Boulevard Bash is a three-day music festival that also features rides and games. Union Centre Boulevard exit off Interstate 75, between Muhlhauser Road and Centre Pointe Drive, West Chester. 5 p.m. to midnight Friday, noon to midnight Saturday, and noon to 10 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 10, 11 and 12. Free. (513) 579-3191 or www.unioncentreblvdbash.com.

"In the Hands of African American Collectors: The Personal Treasures of Bernard and Shirley Kinsey" is a new exhibit that features the artwork of leading African American artists. National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, 50 East Freedom Way, 2nd Street at the foot of the Roebling Suspension Bridge, downtown Cincinnati. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily (closed Monday). $12 adults, $10 seniors (age 60 plus), $8 children ages 6-12. (513) 333-7500 or www.freedomcenter.org.

"Pete: The Exhibit" is the first major public celebration of the Hit King's career, and includes 300 pieces of memorabilia such as signed baseballs, cards, bats and more. Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame and Museum, 100 Main St., downtown. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, noon to 5 p.m. Sundays, as well as Reds game nights until 8 p.m., through spring 2008. $8, $6 seniors, $5 children 3-12. (513) 765-7923.

The Rosemary Clooney House Museum, the home of the late singer and entertainer, features the largest display of costumes and memorabilia from the film White Christmas. Rosemary Clooney House Museum, 106 E. Riverside Drive, Augusta, Ky. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays, weekday tours by arrangement. $5. (606) 756-2603.

Kings Island features a new ride, Firehawk, the only flying roller-coaster in the state. New live shows are performed in the International Showplace outdoor amphitheater and the Nickelodeon Theatre, including "Dora's Singalong Adventure," "Hot Island Rhythms," "Endless Summer on Ice," "Twisting to the '60s," and more. Kings Island, 6300 Kings Island Drive, Mason. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. $44.99, $29.99 for seniors and children 3-6. (513) 754-5700 or www.cedarfair.com.

The Beach Waterpark's thrill rides include The Cliff"”recently voted among the nation's Top 10 water attractions by the readers of Inside Track magazine"”Aztec Adventure, billed as the Midwest's only "watercoaster," and Typhoon Twist, which includes three fiberglass slides that are the waterpark's fastest. Other rides include the Volcanic Panic slide, Banzai racing slides; Riptide inner tube ride, Hidden Rapids gnarled tube ride; Watusi enclosed, double helix tube, and more. The Beach Waterpark, 2590 Waterpark Drive, Mason. Open daily 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., then from June 14, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. through August. $27.99 (after 5 p.m., $12.50), $10.50 for seniors and children 48 inches and under. (513) 398-7946 or www.thebeachwaterpark.com.

A $100-million indoor waterpark that spans 79,000 square feet, this splashy facility joins its nearby counterparts, the Beach Waterpark and Boomerang Bay at Kings Island theme park, making Mason seemingly the waterpark capitol of the world. However, this waterpark is totally enclosed and features six warm pools that include 11 waterslides, including a water rollercoaster. The park also boasts a four-story treehouse water fort. Great Wolf Lodge, 2501 Great Wolf Dr., Mason. Open 24 hours daily, year-round. Rates vary. (800) 913-9653 or www.greatwolf.com.